TWENTY jobs will be created in a Ryedale town this month, when a revamped food store opens its doors.

Retail chiefs revealed that the Co-operative food store, in Eastgate, Pickering, is undergoing a £540,000 revamp.

The organisation is advertising vacancies for managers, supervisors and customer service assistants at the store.

It said the shop would have an "access for all" automatic door, and that the emphasis would be on fresh food.

Manager Tom Mainwaring said: "We provide a much valued service for the local community and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our store and a wider selection of goods which will better meet all the community's daily grocery needs."

Coun Natalie Warriner, the chairman of Ryedale District Council, who represents Pickering West, said: "I'm pleased we've at last got some sort of food outlet for that side of Pickering.

"We used to have one and it belonged to the Co-op, but it was run by Costcutter and it's been closed for some time.

"I was very disappointed when it had to close down.

"I'm pleased we've now got a grocery service at that end of town. It'll be a good service for elderly people and young mums with children because it's going to be nice and local for them.

"I hope they will bear in mind the type of clientele they've got when they set the prices of the food."

Coun Warriner said she was "extremely pleased" about the creation of new jobs.

"It's going to boost the local economy," she said.

The store - which will have a more shopper-friendly lay out - is being transformed with modern décor, new fittings and refrigeration, and will also have a free-to-use cash machine.

Customers will also be able to carry their shopping home in 100 per cent degradable bags.